SLYNG 101: What are edibles and how long does it take for them to kick in?

Published
04/17/2017

Welcome to Slyng 101! Where we answer some noob questions that you've been curious about, but too scared to ask anyone because you don't want them to think you're a noob. This week we'll be answering: "What are edibles and how long does it take for edibles to kick in?"

For someone who is new to the world of edibles, there's a lot to learn. Edibles come in all different packages, from chocolate bars to pizza sauce to gummy bears, take your pick - there's something out there that'd you'd love to ingest! So basically, edibles are used as a method to ingest cannabis through eating!

Since edibles are a lot more potent, and give more of a body high, they can be a great choice when consumed responsibly but a terrible choice if consumed incorrectly. One of the biggest mistakes that happens when trying edibles for the first time is over-eating.

PUNCH BAR Milk Chocolate Edible

Edibles can be tricky to measure for intake. The effects of edibles vary among different people depending on tolerance, metabolism, weight, and fitness levels. But if you already like to smoke marijuana, start off with 10 milligrams of THC. If you've never smoked, and never tried edibles, start off with 5 milligrams of THC. Everyone has different reactions to edibles, and that's why it's something that you keep trying (starting off small, if you don't want to end up a paranoid slump!) and altering, until you've found the perfect dosage. According to High Times, "The average pot consumer usually feels significant effects from ingesting 15 to 25 milligrams of THC."

Since edibles means ingesting THC, it is drastically different than smoking it. When you smoke THC, your body feels a reaction instantaneously, because it is quickly absorbed in your body. Which is different from edibles because you have to ingest THC. The THC has to work its way through your digestive system, and then to your "liver which converts THC into another chemical known as 11-hydroxy-THC, a much stronger substance that explains the intensity and duration of an edibles high." said the High Times. This process alone could take between one to two hours, the effects largely vary in intensity based on whether your stomach is full or empty. So make sure to have a meal before eating edibles.

So there you have it, a good start with some basic information to get you ready for your first edible.